Defao & The Big Stars(Congo-Kinshasa)

Frank Bessem's Musiques d'Afrique

Le Général Defao has become increasingly
popular as a singer, dancer and band leader especially during the 1990s.
He started singing in local bands in Kinshasa as early as 1976, for instance in Orchestre Suka Movema,
Fogo Stars, Korotoro and Somo West.
Defao was influenced by Zaiko Langa Langa singers of the early years, Papa
Wemba, Nyoka Longo, Gina Efonge and Evoloko,
but Tabu Ley Rochereau was and still is his main inspiration.

In 1981, Defao enters Grand Zaiko Wa Wa, the band of guitar wizzard Felix
Manuaku. Between 1983 and 1991, he is part of the Choc Stars, led
by Ben Nyamabo.

In 1991, he created his own band, les Big Stars and recorded a number of albums since.
A gifted singer and dancer, Defao has become quite famous in Central Africa.
He was one of the first Congolese musicians who valued the importance of TV appearances
and videoclips as a means to gain success. Defao is known for his exuberant lifestyle, always well dressed and apart
from being a singer he is also a gifted dancer. In search for a representative appearance, he has been struggling with
a weight problem for years and was trying to lose some of his 115 kilogrammes. He is nowadays based in Nairobi, Kenya.
After 2000, he was sometimes written off by the critics and by the public, as he wasn't able to continue his successes from the
1990s, but his latest album, bearing the curious title « The Undertaker »
proves that he still has the talent to make people dance.